Who Should We Be Yoked To?

At the end of chapter 6 in 2 Corinthians, Paul is finishing up his explanation of faithful Christian ministry that he started back in chapter 3. The final topic to be addressed in this section is how the church is supposed to respond to opposition. You can find the structure of the passage by seeing that there are two imperatives (or commands): 6:14 commands us not be unequally yoked with unbelievers and 7:1 commands us to cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit. Then all the verses in between are used to bolster and illustrate these two imperatives. Why should we do what Paul says? In verses 14-16a we have five rhetorical questions meant to draw out the contrast between believers and unbelievers. Verses 16b-18 gives us a composition of Old Testament verses to show God's faithfulness to honor those who keep his promises. So, what exactly do those two imperatives mean for us? And how should they shape our relationships? Read the passage and consider these questions to help prepare your heart for worship this Sunday.